Not long ago a resident here on the campus commented to me that she missed the good ‘ole days when the campus was still very small and she knew everybody. During the early days of this community it certainly was easier to know people and be known. Finding support and connection was less intimidating than it is now and as this place grows and changes it can be easy to become isolated and feel a sense of loneliness. What once was a small village has become quite a large city with a diversity of residents and staff who reflect a wide array of back grounds, life experiences, beliefs and values. There is great richness in that and also great challenge. The isolation we all experienced through the pandemic highlights for us the importance of community and connection. The most basic definition of community is a group of interacting people living in a common geographic location. However, what we all yearn for is a different sense of community—one which speaks to the relationships we build and the connections we share. How do we find and feel that sense of community? It does take some intentionality and yet the benefits are many. Volunteering, meeting your neighbors, making an extra effort to talk with someone who may have a different background or perspective than your own, finding others who share a common interest—these are just some ways to find that sense of belonging that builds and strengthens community.
We know that belonging is primal, fundamental to our sense of happiness and well-being. Maybe your sense of belonging comes from your family, your friends, your faith community, the clubs or organizations in which you participate. Maybe you are struggling to find that sense of belonging whether you are a new resident or you have lived here for a long time. You are not alone in that struggle. This campus has within it people who look like you and have similar beliefs and values, and also people who look and act different, and hold different beliefs and values. One thing to consider is that we are more likely to find connection and belonging when we ask the question, “Who are You?” instead of “Who am I like?” and when we seek what we have in common with one another rather than focusing on our differences. The leadership of the campus is committed to building the deep connective tissue of belonging even as the faces and facilities on the campus change over time. The picture that goes with this article is a favorite of mine. Taken several years ago, it is a sea of orange, blue, red, and green t-shirts worn by residents and staff representing the campus community. It is a snapshot in time for many have come and gone since but you can tell by the smiles and waves and spirit that there is a sense of
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